Colonial homes may be very common throughout the U.S., but the seemingly endless number of choices when it comes to customization within this style mean that no two colonial homes look exactly alike.
Siding, in particular, can have a big impact on the overall look of a home, so this is where homeowners who wish to change their home’s appearance can get the most out of their efforts. In addition to protecting your home from the elements, siding is what gives your home its distinctive look and can be used to emphasize your home’s most attractive features.
Methods To Use When Choosing A Siding Color For Colonial Homes
When deciding on the ideal color scheme to choose for the siding of your colonial home, there are some non-traditional methods that can assist with the process. Take some time to review these out-of-the-box methods of selecting siding colors for colonial homes, it may be more helpful than you would think!
Review The History Of Colonial Homes
Because colonial homes have such a long history in the United States, it makes sense to look to history when you need some inspiration for your home’s siding color. Single-story Cape Cods and two-story Georgian colonial homes are known for simplicity and symmetry.
In the first colonial homes that were built in the 1600s and 1700s, homeowners did not have the selection that we have today; instead, they had to choose among the colors that were available at the time. These were largely shades of russet, brown, blue, green and ochre.
The choices were greater for 20th-century colonial revival homes. Many times, classic white siding was paired with shutters in a contrasting shade, such as red, black or green. Homeowners who wanted something other than white tended to choose colors such as blue, yellow, gray or brown with white trim and shutters in a complementary color. All of these color schemes are great choices for those who want a classic colonial look.
Look At Common Color Schemes For Homes In The Local Area
When you are trying to choose a color for your siding, it pays to take a look at your neighborhood to see what works around you. Although many homeowners look for inspiration online, be sure to take the opportunity to see what different color schemes look like in the natural light of the area where you live.
Drive around your area and see which color schemes you are instinctively drawn to, and then return and check them out at different times of day and night and in different weather conditions so you can get a clearer picture of what these colors will look like on your own house.
Keep in mind that you need to choose homes with a similar size and style to your own for making this comparison. Although a darker color with white trim, for example, might look amazing on a two-story home, this dark shade could overwhelm a smaller bungalow.
Take The Basics Of Color Theory Into Consideration
Your school days may be well behind you now, but the color theory basics that you learned in art class can prove useful when choosing siding colors for your colonial home. Keep in mind that you will be looking at the colors you choose every day for many years, so you’ll want to ensure you choose shades that work well together for your siding as well as your trim. Here is a brief refresher.
Primary Colors
Red, blue, yellow are primary colors, and every other color is created by mixing these colors in different combinations. They are positioned at equidistant locations on the color wheel.
Complementary Colors
The colors that sit directly across from one another on a color wheel are known as complementary because they are visually appealing when used side by side.
Monochromatic Color Schemes
A monochromatic color scheme is a scheme that uses multiple shades of one particular hue. For example, choosing siding colors in navy blue, medium blue and baby blue is a monochromatic scheme because all of these shades are in the blue family.
Warm Tones
Colors that are considered warm tones are reds, oranges and yellows. These are all shades that can help a small house to stand out because warm colors make objects appear closer and larger.
Cool Tones
Greens and blues are cool tones that are calming and can make objects appear to recede. This makes them good choices for bigger houses as it can make them seem less imposing.
These general rules are very useful when it comes to selecting the basic pairing of your siding color and trim, but they can also be used to help you find shades that will complement some of the more permanent focal areas of the exterior of your home, such as your chimney, roof and hardscaping.
Schedule A Free Siding Replacement Estimate For Your Colonial Home
Get in touch with the Northern Virginia siding contractors at Adelphia Exteriors to learn more about the ideal siding color for colonial homes. Our team can help you find the right siding for your colonial home according to your needs and design preferences. Schedule a free siding replacement estimate today by calling (703) 386-7357 or by requesting an estimate online.